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Cultural Moments of 2012: Carolyn's Picks

Here at Canary, we’re lucky to spend our time working with some of Philadelphia’s most clever, innovative, funny, forward-thinking and downright brilliant cultural assets. One of the best perks of being in the business of arts promotion is getting to see these folks in action — from ROFL-inducing performance art and world-class museum openings (looking at you, Barnes Foundation) to serious — and seriously inspiring — talks on the future of this city’s artistic community. (Word to the wise: It’s quite bright.)

This week, we’re posting a few of our favorite Philadelphia cultural moments of 2012. First up: Carolyn’s picks, from big-idea parties to naked slapstick comedy. Check back tomorrow and Wednesday to hear from Rose and Megan!

BANGI’ve been obsessed with the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe since I moved to the city in 2006, and Charlotte Ford’s gut-bustingly hilarious, shockingly provocative BANG(reviewed by The New York Times) is, by far, the best example I’ve seen of what these iconic festivals should represent. Live Arts/Fringe is a time for exploration, for thinking outside the box, for surpassing all expectations (and also for naked rapping). Live Arts/Fringe is a time for BANG, and the city is better for it.

Zoe Strauss Does the PMALocal girl done spectacular Zoe Strauss, known for years as the mastermind behind South Philly’s gritty, bizarre Under I-95 open-air exhibition series, finally got what was coming to her after decades of making compelling photographs without getting in people’s faces: a solo mid-career retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Zoe Strauss: Ten Years. Zoe even kept office hours at the PMA, tearing down the wall that separates audience from artist.

Ignite PhillyThe idea behind this ingenious rapid-fire speaker series is simple: Gather a bunch of like-minded innovators in one room and let them share their ideas — in 5-minute bursts. I attended Ignite Philly 9 this February, and had the opportunity to hear passionate, thought-provoking ideas from folks like Andrew Simonet, Darla Jackson, Diana Lind, Doogie Horner — and even former Canary staffer Emaleigh Doley, who, along with her sister Aine, is working to revitalize and beautify Germantown, block by block. Ignite Philly just goes to show that change is best realized through collaboration.